Birthday wishes not MDOT approved
By Barb Pert Templeton
When you want to wish your father a happy birthday in a big way, you might get excited and decide to hang a huge banner across a state highway to celebrate.
The problem arises when such a heartfelt gesture runs into government red tape, in this case the lack of an MDOT permit for the banner.
Algonac Councilman Jake Skarbek.
The subject of a banner, hung over the last weekend in September in Algonac, came up at an Oct. 7 meeting of the Algonac City Council.
Algonac resident Eileen Tesch said she wanted to comment on the fact that a large banner was recently seen hanging over St. Clair River Drive. It said ‘Wish Steve a Happy Birthday.’
Algonac resident Eileen Tesch spoke during public comments at a recent Algonac City Council meeting asking about a banner that was hung along St. Clair River Drive.
Tesch said she sent a text to Mayor Rocky Gillis asking who Steve was and who gave permission to have it hung over St. Clair River Drive. Gillis allegedly responded that the banner was part of the city’s Red Barn Event and a permit and insurance was taken out.
Tesch said she made a FOIA request for the paperwork that would reflect that the right channels were followed and was surprised she got a bill for $1.90. She said still didn’t find anything related to the banner.
“This sets a dangerous precedent for people out there, the next person that wants to put a banner out there and who knows what it’s going to say?” Tesch said. “There’s a lot of organizations out there that would love to put a banner across St. Clair River Drive.”
“MDOT is not an enforcement agency. While we can ask the owner of unpermitted banners to remove them, we do not issue citations, warnings or fines.”
MDOT Bay Region Communication Representative Caitlyn French
Tesch later learned that the “Steve” in question turned out to be the father of City Councilman Jake Skarbek. She said she also learned that the sign remained in place for several days.
“I just would ask the council to be concerned about what is happening, that was not in any of the documents, unless I missed it, that a banner was going to be put across St. Clair River Drive,” Tesch said. “We’ve got to just be careful.”
Councilman Jake Skarbek, who hosted the city’s recent country festival, responded to Tesch’s concerns during the council comments portion of the meeting.
He said yes, he placed the banner on M-29.
“One hundred and ten percent I did put that in,” Skarbek said.
“We came in after working hours, there was no money from the city and no resources used from the city and Steve, yes. he is my dad,” Skarbek said. “My dad might not be on the organizational paperwork but he has busted his ass at that field when I need him, he’s out there helping this community every time and I will not apologize for putting that banner up.”
“Was I ignorant of the fact that I needed one, (an MDOT permit) yes I was, however, moving forward all’s I can do is apologize and deal with the consequences that come with it but I will not apologize for putting the banner up.”
Algonac City Councilman Jake Skarbek
Skarbek said he did go about things the wrong way because he didn’t get an MDOT permit for the banner, so yes, he was wrong about it.
“Was I ignorant of the fact that I needed one, yes I was,” Skarbek said. “However, moving forward all’s I can do is apologize and deal with the consequences that come with it but I will not apologize for putting the banner up.”
Blue Water Healthy Living caught up with MDOT Bay Region Communication Representative Caitlyn French via email to pose a few specific questions about permits.
Blue Water Healthy Living: Can a fine be issued now for a banner that was hung without a permit several weeks ago?
French: MDOT does not issue fines.
BWHL: What’s the cost for an individual or business to get a banner permit from MDOT?
French: Banner permits need to be applied for through the local agency or municipality. If the permit is approved, there is no cost to the local agency. However, a banner must meet a set of approved criteria. Banners need to be related to activity taking place within the local agency applying for the permit. Only those events sponsored by the local governmental agency having a community wide interest or program shall be granted permission to place banners over state highway right-of-way.
BWHL: Does MDOT police these matters or do they leave it up to the municipalities?
French: If MDOT is made aware of or discovers unpermitted activity, we will respond to address the issue at hand. For more information: https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/business/permits/right-of-way-construction/banners-event-announcements
